Justice Achode elected new High Court principal judge

Justice Lydia Achode has been elected b as the new principal judge of the High Court by her colleagues during an election in Mombasa

A High Court principal judge reports to the Chief Justice, and is tasked with the overall administration of the  court to ensure orderly and prompt conduct of business, as well the constitution of benches of two or more judges.

The judge, who was recently transferred from the Family Division to  the Eldoret High Court, takes over from Justice Richard Mwongo, whose five-year term ended.

She garnered 43 votes out 80, beating her contestants, Justices Mary Kasongo and Asenath Ongeri in the poll conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Mombasa.

“There shall be a Principal Judge of the High Court, who shall be elected by the judges of the High Court from among themselves,” Article 165 (2) of the Constitution says.

She becomes the second person to serve in the elective position under the 2010 Constitution.

Justice Achode’s career began as a District Magistrate at the Kericho Law Courts in 1986.

She rose through the ranks to become judge of the High Court in 2011.

Prior to her appointment as judge, she served as the Registrar of the High Court and the accounting officer for the Judiciary.

In 2016, Justice Achode was appointed the deputy judge of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division of the High Court, established in 2015.

“She has experience in Civil and Criminal Law and Procedure, Commercial Litigation,

Taxation Law, as well as Gender and Family Law having routinely adjudicated on these areas of law for a period spanning over twenty years,” a statement from the Judiciary said.

Justice Achode is also the Treasurer of the Kenya Women Judges Association.